Student Hardship Fund

“I received a bursary from the College in my final year of undergraduate studies, which meant that I didn't need to work part-time during term time and could concentrate on my degree. I wanted to be able to help students in a similar position, as I have the College to thank for the opportunities that have been open to me since my degree.” Dr Claire Doyle - Chemistry PhD, 2011

Your gift to the Student Hardship Fund* provides emergency assistance to talented students who find themselves in unexpected financial need. With your support, we can ensure that no student is forced to compromise their studies.

London is one of the most expensive places to study in the UK, and students can expect to pay around £800 a month for accommodation and travel alone. Even with grants and loans, some students struggle to make ends meet. And with the end of government-funded maintenance grants in 2016–17, the situation is getting worse, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Student Hardship Fund offers a lifeline for students struggling to meet the costs of higher education in the city. When money is tight, any unexpected additional cost can tip a student into genuine financial difficulty. Your kind gift helps students who find themselves needing immediate support due to a bereavement, illness or an increased cost in childcare or housing. For these students, something that might seem like a small setback can constitute a temporary or even permanent break in their studies – which makes graduating and pursuing a career nearly impossible.

The Student Hardship Fund is open to those students who have no other financial assistance available and can be given immediately. All Imperial students are eligible to receive up to £2,000 with the average award being £650. In the last five years, we have been able to support more than 625 students. With your help we will be able to provide support to even more students as the cost of living continues to rise.

Your generous gift enables these students to receive modest but vital financial support, offered without strings or the requirement for it to be repaid. This financial lifeline enables them to continue their studies feeling supported and unburdened by additional debt.

Together in 2016-17, 951 donors generously gave £176,883 which supported students. Thank you!

Your impact in reality

“I am eternally grateful for the donors for enabling a student like me, from an underprivileged background, to flourish at a world leading university like Imperial. Without the financial help, I could not afford to pursue a medical degree at such an institution despite my hard work or determination. I will continue to appreciate the generosity of the donors long after my graduation and will hopefully become a donor to help a future generation of students like myself. “